What better way for Cynopsis to celebrate our 20th Anniversary than by honoring the best of the best in the industry we’re so proud to cover? A reception to celebrate our two decades took place February 7 at the Edison Ballroom in New York City, followed by a dinner highlighted by the presentation of the very first Cynopsis TV Awards, saluting excellence in national television programming. Also, two special awards were presented to honorees Linda Boff, CMO for GE and Bill Koenigsberg, President, CEO & Founder for Horizon Media, for their extraordinary contributions to the industry.

The industry’s top advertising talent was celebrated at the inaugural Cynopsis Buyers & Planners Awards. Strategists, communicators and executors of campaigns were recognized for their incredible contributions across broadcast, cable and digital platforms.

Best Use Of Companion Video For A TV Show

Winners

A creepy promotion for Outcast used 3D audio technology and eye-tracking software to show how it feels to be possessed.

Honorable Mentions

AMC Fear the Walking Dead: Passage

Bravo Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen

Best Writing [Made For TV Movie]

Winners

VH1 The Breaks

The Breaks, set in 1990, captures the grit, humor and music of the era in New York City as three friends hustle to make it in the music industry.

Honorable Mentions

Lifetime Girl in the Box

TV One Definitely Divorcing

Network Diversity

Winners

El Rey Network

Launched by filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, El Rey Network is an English language channel targeting young adult Latino audiences, serving it up for “rebels, aficionados and passionate creators.“

Honorable Mentions

ABC

FOX Broadcasting Company

Best Production Company

Winners

Lucky 8 TV

Lucky 8 TV focuses on unscripted programming for networks such as A&E, Food Network and Animal Planet. Their shows include 60 Days In, Brain Games and Breaking The Rules.

Honorable Mentions

Corral360 Los Cowboys

Insight Production Company Ltd The Amazing Race Canada

Jax Media Jax Media

Pilgrim Media Group

Best TV Group

Winners

Scripps Networks Interactive

Scripps Networks Interactive is a leader in lifestyle content, with brands HGTV, DYI Network, Food Network Cooking Channel, Travel Channel and Great American Country engaging over 190 million consumers each month.

Honorable Mentions

A+E Networks

Discovery Communications

Univision Communications Inc. – Univision Local Media

Best Broadcast Network

Winners

FOX Broadcasting Company

While Fox serves up fresh fare like Empire and The Mick, the net’s long-running hits like The Simpsons never get old.

Honorable Mentions

ABC

CBS

NBC

BEST AD-SUPPORTED CABLE NETWORK [Distributed to 1-50 Million U.S. Households]

Niki DeCou

VP, Associate Managing Director

"Leader, Client-focused, Results-driven"

As VP, Brand Group Director, Niki DeCou leads with an agnostic approach that includes media, creative, measurement and technology expertise. Niki is also an active mentor at Horizon, having helped pilot the agency’s MentorME internal mentorship program.

Yovantonette Daniels

On-Air Media Planning Sr. Manager

"Loyal, Dedicated, Resilient"

Yovantonette Daniels is an accomplished Hispanic media planner, adaptable and diplomatic as well as a motivator and team leader. Yovantonette manages a staff within budget, making the most with the resources available to draw viewership with strategic campaign planning.

Luis Vazquez Jr

Associate Buying Director

"Motivated, Sociable, and Reliable"

Luis Vazquez has been at Zenith since May of 2005, after a 5-year stint working for the New York Mets. Vazquez currently works for clients Astrazeneca and Boston Beer but has covered a variety of accounts in the past, including Toyota, Ferrero, H&M, Ocean Spray, and Hankook Tires.

Lauren Rose

Media Director

Lauren Rose started the media department at Hydrogen in 2012, developing her own processes in order to work seamlessly all other departments. She works in lock step with strategy and creative throughout the entire process, making for more effective and efficient media buys. Hydrogen also values Lauren’s stellar negotiating skills and strong relationships with media partners.

Frank Puma

Group Director

"Passionate, Committed, Inspiring"

Frank Puma is the backbone of the Volvo Digital team, and a trusted advisor to clients. Rather than working with “vendors,” Frank creates connective tissue between media partners, which translates to great media partnerships for Volvo.

Amy Smock

Media Director

"Loyal, Achiever, Brilliant"

Amy Smock works diligently to ensure comprehensive research is done on every account, and strategies are in line with the latest trends. She is also a supportive manager who works to make sure all in her sphere succeed.

Val O’Sullivan

Associate Director of Investments

"Insightful, Compassionate, Generous"

Data is just the beginning for Val O’Sullivan – it’s her heart that transforms her "buys" into full-on marketing experiences. Val provides insight, market smarts, and ideas beginning early in the planning process; as a result, her work pulls in personalities, adjacencies, and content that elevate the creative work and weaves a cross-media message.

Samantha Zack

Media Investment Manager

Samantha Zack manages National TV to ensure sound, client-driven and strategic investments, while developing and executing high-profile, multi-platform marketing and media programs in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams including planning, digital and social for maximum effectiveness.

Sam Rose

VP, Director Video Investment

"Driven rising star"

Under Sam Rose’s leadership, the agency’s National TV team has grown from a group of 12 employees to a powerhouse of over 50 people. Samantha has played an integral role in first-to-market executions for her many clients, embracing forward thinking in an ever-changing video landscape.

Whitney Smith

Partner, Associate Director, Digital Investment

"Inventive, Adaptive, Unrivaled"

Whitney Smith drives digital innovation and investment for one of the largest innovators in the industry: General Mills. Overseeing 15 different brands, her skills extend beyond traditional investment leadership, with rich experience in search and social media, setting her apart from much of the industry’s vertical focus as a game-changing voice and thought leader.

Kyle McAteer

Senior Media Planner

"Passionate, Dedicated, Creative"

Kyle McAteer is an integral part of Horizon’s digital team. A manager and mentor to 6 people, his level of dedication and creativity is one of the reasons budgets for 2017 will rise dramatically across accounts. Kyle also goes above and beyond by participating in activities including public speaking roles for Upstart U, and Alumni Relation programs.

Jen Blohm

Supervisor, Media Planning

"Collaborative, Driven, Leader"

Jen Blohm’s most valuable asset as a media planner is her ability to collaborate across teams. That skill has resulted in better client results, innovation and testing opportunities, as well as a committed team. Many people within the organization have relayed their desire to work on her team because of the dynamic that Jen cultivates.

Lauren Coffey

Digital Advertising Planner

"Knowledgable, Passionate, Strong"

Lauren Coffey helps craft digital strategies across multiple categories, always on the lookout for opportunities that best fit each client as well as cost efficient vendors. She has a keen understanding of where the market is headed, and how Bandy Carroll Hellige can best understand the digital KPIs for its clients.